Trading for D is the play

[moose-and-squirrel]

Actually not in this thread. Multiple threads about Blake Fiddler lol. It's in the thread about the three prospects the Blues should target. This is the writeup for him:

The only issue with his performance is that his offensive game is weak, as he only put up 33 points through 64 games with the Edmonton Oil Kings this season. Fiddler also lacks a sound puck-handling ability and is known to make bad decisions under pressure, and take too many penalties, which the Blues want to do less if they want to become a consistent playoff contender.

That said, these weaknesses in Fiddler’s game are fixable once he gets to the NHL level and can work on them slowly in his development process.

Bolded is insane.

lol What? You don't think those things will clear right up once he is in the NHL?

See the bad news is he's inept offensively, makes terrible decisions against kids, easily pressured by kids, and handcuffs his team with penalties too frequently. But the GOOD news is what a pick! They can just put him in the lineup and slowly he can work on all these major problems against the fastest, best adult players in the world.

Did you watch him in the u18’s because he was very good and not to mention named captain of the team. USA coach has nothing but glowing things to say about Fiddler who was also named team captain. Fiddler led Team USA in ice-time and the USA outscored their opponents by a wide margin when he was on the ice during the u18’s.
He could be an absolute force of a dman by the time he’s 24/25.

Super reasonable data point about his play on a different stage/team. Maybe someone will talk themselves into it but I really hope it's not the Blues. If it is the Blues I hope I'm wrong about him.

maybe those bad decisions were a result of not having talent around him. hard to make chicken soup out of chicken poop

[skilles]

Actually not in this thread. Multiple threads about Blake Fiddler lol. It's in the thread about the three prospects the Blues should target. This is the writeup for him:

The only issue with his performance is that his offensive game is weak, as he only put up 33 points through 64 games with the Edmonton Oil Kings this season. Fiddler also lacks a sound puck-handling ability and is known to make bad decisions under pressure, and take too many penalties, which the Blues want to do less if they want to become a consistent playoff contender.

That said, these weaknesses in Fiddler’s game are fixable once he gets to the NHL level and can work on them slowly in his development process.

Bolded is insane.

lol What? You don't think those things will clear right up once he is in the NHL?

See the bad news is he's inept offensively, makes terrible decisions against kids, easily pressured by kids, and handcuffs his team with penalties too frequently. But the GOOD news is what a pick! They can just put him in the lineup and slowly he can work on all these major problems against the fastest, best adult players in the world.

Did you watch him in the u18’s because he was very good and not to mention named captain of the team. USA coach has nothing but glowing things to say about Fiddler who was also named team captain. Fiddler led Team USA in ice-time and the USA outscored their opponents by a wide margin when he was on the ice during the u18’s.
He could be an absolute force of a dman by the time he’s 24/25.

lol for the record I didn't mean to make fun of him, the writer was the target.

[Pierre McGuire]

A couple of other things to consider about Fiddler is that he is a younger player for this draft class with a July birthday and he went on a quick growth spurt to his current height, he’s still adapting his game to his size.

[LGB73]

If you're just looking at next year, 2C is the biggest hole on the team. If you're looking 2-4 years out, RD is the biggest issue for the team due to age, decline and lack of prospects in the pipeline. If the team is talking about opening the window to be contenders for multiple years, then finding a mid-late 20's RD that is a solid top 4D should be jumped on if the opportunity presents itself over adding a forward. If maximizing next year's potential is the priority then yes a forward makes more sense. Personally I'd rather we focused on the longer term and likely still be a playoff team next year with the forwards we have, but not too serious of a contender.

[Cahokanut]

In not mad at the defense.

Broberg looks to be top 4.
Fowler has another year.
Parayko is as close to elite since playoffs of 19.
I liked Tucker for minutes last year.
I'd rather move on from Suter. However. If he was to share time with a prospect. I'm in.
Faulk does okay. But if someone called. I'd would work to get something done.
Kessel does okay in spurts. He may get it together over the summer.
Iam not afraid of youth. There should always be a spot to grow a prospect. With the first half of the season being not very important. It's a good time to let the kids get caught up.


We desperately need a second line center.
But no chance I'd trade a 26 first rd. I'd look to get a extra one.

No reason we can't do both.

[STL fan in MN]

A couple of other things to consider about Fiddler is that he is a younger player for this draft class with a July birthday and he went on a quick growth spurt to his current height, he’s still adapting his game to his size.

The late birthday thing is fair but I’ve yet to see much of correlation between a growth spurt and poor decision making. Correlation between a players skating going from good to wonky for a while? Or his stickhandling taking a dip until he gets used to his new body? Sure, but yet to see that cause issues with thinking the game.

I’m with Kimzey and Seattle on this one. He’s really intriguing because he’s big and a righty but I just see too many red flags for him to be who I’d want at 19. I'd prefer Hensler…and he’s not my ideal choice either tbh. Fiddler reminds me of the RD version of Charlie Stramel. Intriguing size, skill etc but just doesn’t think the game fast enough.

Best thing about drafting Fiddler would be the excuse of being able to post his dad impersonating Kevin Bieksa.
https://youtu.be/3_5v3ztqsu4

[Harry York 37]

A couple of other things to consider about Fiddler is that he is a younger player for this draft class with a July birthday and he went on a quick growth spurt to his current height, he’s still adapting his game to his size.

The late birthday thing is fair but I’ve yet to see much of correlation between a growth spurt and poor decision making. Correlation between a players skating going from good to wonky for a while? Or his stickhandling taking a dip until he gets used to his new body? Sure, but yet to see that cause issues with thinking the game.

I’m with Kimzey and Seattle on this one. He’s really intriguing because he’s big and a righty but I just see too many red flags for him to be who I’d want at 19. I'd prefer Hensler…and he’s not my ideal choice either tbh. Fiddler reminds me of the RD version of Charlie Stramel. Intriguing size, skill etc but just doesn’t think the game fast enough.

Best thing about drafting Fiddler would be the excuse of being able to post his dad impersonating Kevin Bieksa.
https://youtu.be/3_5v3ztqsu4

Awesome clip. I miss humor in ice hockey. The game can be vicious and some levity is precious at times.

Your point about growth spurts and skills is right on. I was a pesky defensive guard in 9th grade basketball, but grew about six inches between seasons. My hands and feet felt almost like strangers during sophomore year tryouts and I was the last player cut.
I must add that, it becomes more difficult to make proper decisions when you are not secure within your body. When you are not confident, it shows. The more secure Fiddler gets with his “new”proportions, the calmer he will be at making tough decisions.
Getting cut hurt, but that winter was really cold in St Louis and I had a lot of free time for the frozen ponds. I learned to skate that year. Not very well, but enough to fall even more in love with ice hockey.

[STL fan in MN]

In not mad at the defense.

Broberg looks to be top 4.
Fowler has another year.
Parayko is as close to elite since playoffs of 19.
I liked Tucker for minutes last year.
I'd rather move on from Suter. However. If he was to share time with a prospect. I'm in.
Faulk does okay. But if someone called. I'd would work to get something done.
Kessel does okay in spurts. He may get it together over the summer.
Iam not afraid of youth. There should always be a spot to grow a prospect. With the first half of the season being not very important. It's a good time to let the kids get caught up.


We desperately need a second line center.
But no chance I'd trade a 26 first rd. I'd look to get a extra one.

No reason we can't do both.

I’d say this is a fair look at it. C is the bigger need today, RD is the bigger need longterm. I’d prefer an upgrade on Faulk at 2RD today but he’s ok there IMO. But we do need a 3RD for next season IMO. But those aren’t super hard to find. Not easy as righties are always a premium but even if we start the season without filling that hole, they can always address it mid season if Kessel and whatever lefties end up playing 3RD show they’re not cutting it.

[Sunny's Teeth]

Actually not in this thread. Multiple threads about Blake Fiddler lol. It's in the thread about the three prospects the Blues should target. This is the writeup for him:

The only issue with his performance is that his offensive game is weak, as he only put up 33 points through 64 games with the Edmonton Oil Kings this season. Fiddler also lacks a sound puck-handling ability and is known to make bad decisions under pressure, and take too many penalties, which the Blues want to do less if they want to become a consistent playoff contender.

That said, these weaknesses in Fiddler’s game are fixable once he gets to the NHL level and can work on them slowly in his development process.

Bolded is insane.

lol What? You don't think those things will clear right up once he is in the NHL?

See the bad news is he's inept offensively, makes terrible decisions against kids, easily pressured by kids, and handcuffs his team with penalties too frequently. But the GOOD news is what a pick! They can just put him in the lineup and slowly he can work on all these major problems against the fastest, best adult players in the world.

Did you watch him in the u18’s because he was very good and not to mention named captain of the team. USA coach has nothing but glowing things to say about Fiddler who was also named team captain. Fiddler led Team USA in ice-time and the USA outscored their opponents by a wide margin when he was on the ice during the u18’s.
He could be an absolute force of a dman by the time he’s 24/25.

Super reasonable data point about his play on a different stage/team. Maybe someone will talk themselves into it but I really hope it's not the Blues. If it is the Blues I hope I'm wrong about him.

maybe those bad decisions were a result of not having talent around him. hard to make chicken soup out of chicken poop

Great, now I'm hungry

[AtillaTheBlue1]

might be a nice time to wait it out til the rfa mess happens

lots of really top end dmen as rfa, and very young, 24-25 to boot


then come in after the mess is figued out and make deals for those teams who might be rebuilding and have dmen to deal.

[BalotelliMassive]

The Blues have an open cup window right now because of Binnington alone - he's a big game goalie. If Armstrong/Steen don't deal some of the prospects from the stack that he acquired (for defense and a top center) then he risks the window closing when Binnington finally ages out of the starter role. Right now they're all years away from making the roster if they keep progressing - time to make a deal for immediate help.

[TAFKAP]

The Blues have an open cup window right now because of Binnington alone - he's a big game goalie. If Armstrong/Steen don't deal some of the prospects from the stack that he acquired (for defense and a top center) then he risks the window closing when Binnington finally ages out of the starter role. Right now they're all years away from making the roster if they keep progressing - time to make a deal for immediate help.

I think you're going to see less deals available over the next couple of years, unless someone does something stupid. Teams shouldn't have to worry about resigning guys because of the cap going up 7+ million a year in each of the next three years. Unless I'm missing something, I don't see a Rantanen type situation over the next three years. I hope I missed something though.

[BalotelliMassive]

The Blues have an open cup window right now because of Binnington alone - he's a big game goalie. If Armstrong/Steen don't deal some of the prospects from the stack that he acquired (for defense and a top center) then he risks the window closing when Binnington finally ages out of the starter role. Right now they're all years away from making the roster if they keep progressing - time to make a deal for immediate help.

I think you're going to see less deals available over the next couple of years, unless someone does something stupid. Teams shouldn't have to worry about resigning guys because of the cap going up 7+ million a year in each of the next three years. Unless I'm missing something, I don't see a Rantanen type situation over the next three years. I hope I missed something though.

A lot of people have been saying that on my Hawk board - saying that Mikko might be the last in a long time. The exception? Kaprisov in 26. The Hawks HAVE to hit on a RFA like him if they want to take the next step.

[STL fan in MN]

The Blues have an open cup window right now because of Binnington alone - he's a big game goalie. If Armstrong/Steen don't deal some of the prospects from the stack that he acquired (for defense and a top center) then he risks the window closing when Binnington finally ages out of the starter role. Right now they're all years away from making the roster if they keep progressing - time to make a deal for immediate help.

I think you're going to see less deals available over the next couple of years, unless someone does something stupid. Teams shouldn't have to worry about resigning guys because of the cap going up 7+ million a year in each of the next three years. Unless I'm missing something, I don't see a Rantanen type situation over the next three years. I hope I missed something though.

A lot of people have been saying that on my Hawk board - saying that Mikko might be the last in a long time. The exception? Kaprisov in 26. The Hawks HAVE to hit on a RFA like him if they want to take the next step.

Kaprizov is 28, will be 29 and a UFA when his contract ends in a year (assuming the Wild don’t re-sign him first though, which they probably will).

[STL fan in MN]

The Blues have an open cup window right now because of Binnington alone - he's a big game goalie. If Armstrong/Steen don't deal some of the prospects from the stack that he acquired (for defense and a top center) then he risks the window closing when Binnington finally ages out of the starter role. Right now they're all years away from making the roster if they keep progressing - time to make a deal for immediate help.

I think you're going to see less deals available over the next couple of years, unless someone does something stupid. Teams shouldn't have to worry about resigning guys because of the cap going up 7+ million a year in each of the next three years. Unless I'm missing something, I don't see a Rantanen type situation over the next three years. I hope I missed something though.

I think the rising cap is going to make offer sheets harder to pull off as most teams should have the cap room to match just about anything they want but with most teams having cap room, I’d say that should actually open things up for more deals. More room means more flexibility. A couple years ago most of the teams were operating on a dollars in having to equal dollars out situation. It really limited the deals GMs could make. They’ve got a lot more flexibility now.

[skilles]

Be interesting to see which happens(both make sense)

Salary cap forcing teams to trade vs salary cap allowing teams to trade more.